Huston Street Claimed On Waivers

9:03am:Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle writes of "rumblings that several teams had put in waiver claims on A’s closer Huston Street." A’s assistant GM David Forst wouldn’t comment specifically, but it is believed the team is unlikely to move Street this month. The A’s would have to receive prospects not on a team’s 40-man roster, or else somehow convince the Royals, Indians, and Mariners not to claim their return package.

Street, 25, has a 4.20 ERA in 49.1 innings this year. His strikeout rate is down, while walks and home runs are up. Plus, his average fastball velocity has slipped below 90 mph. Street dealt with a groin strain in June.

The A’s talked about an extension with Street in March, which would’ve covered his last two arbitration years and perhaps his first of free agency. Street will earn a raise from his current $3.3MM for his ’09 salary.